Special Olympics Florida held its annual Champions’ Gala, presented by Publix, at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. Award-winning news anchors for WESH 2 News, Jim Payne and Meredith McDonough hosted the event celebrating the organization’s 45th anniversary with a special performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Cheap Trick’s lead vocalist Robin Zander. Additional guests included U.S. Congresswoman Val Demings, Orange County Sherriff Jerry Demings, professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic Aaron Gordon, and more.

Special Olympics Florida athlete Gregg Dedic rises early for swim practice before work, but he’s not headed to the pool – he’s off to swim in a lake. Gregg is a star Special Olympics athlete and pioneer in the fast-growing sport of open water swimming. Read More »

Ordray is a Tampa native who shines on and off the soccer field. He started participating in Special Olympics Florida soccer when he was a freshman at Land O Lakes High School. His team was selected to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and brought home the Bronze Medal.

In celebration of Black History Month, Special Olympics Florida will be recognizing the achievements of one African American athlete each week in February. The second athlete is Tajha from Immokalee, Florida.

In celebration of Black History Month, Special Olympics Florida will be recognizing the achievements of one African American athlete each week in February. The first athlete is Kenyatta Johnson, the Special Olympics Florida 2016 Athlete of the Year.

Running can be freeing, exciting, and fun—it can also be utterly terrifying. Special Olympics Florida athlete Cheyenne knows what it’s like to run under both circumstances. By age ten, she had run away 33 times. Teachers and doctors described her as obstinate, wild, and a chronic eloper.

Thanks to the dedication of her adoptive parents and doctors at Emery University, Cheyenne was tested and diagnosed with cognitive delays. She was weaned off medication, placed in a class with students like her, and introduced to Special Olympics. Read More »